[video]

[sword_redemption]

[Haven, you know what? You look like you could really use one of Drift's wackadoodle theories right now. ]

The First Forged aren't telling us everything.

[Drift does not mince words. Bad guys, yes. Words, not so much.]

There were other settlers here before us. Over and over again. They died. We're not the first. We're not special or chosen. [And part of him hates that thought.]

And the First Forged couldn't--or didn't--protect them. [This is all review for the old-timers, but there are new people here, and besides, it's a dot he's trying to connect up.]

Wing and I and the others found a cave where some of them had lived. They died. All of them. But they're trapped here, as ghosts. [Another dot.]

And worse--we went back, and their bodies were...reanimated. Like zombies. They attacked us. They were trying to protect something in the cave.

[He frowns, because he really doesn't like public speaking, especially this next part.]

A lot of people disappeared recently. Like whatever it is--the call, Unicron, whatever--like it's gaining strength, picking up steam. We need to do something. Because I don't know about you, but, well, for a lot of reasons, I don't want to have to suddenly find myself fighting a zombie Ultra Magnus.

[Or Vandal. No, he can't even go there in his head. He's connecting dots and it is a really unpleasant picture.]

Comments

[winged_knight]

[He really, really, really hates that idea. Of course it's crossed his mind that he probably came close to ending up that way too, so there's no denying it.] Let's pray that doesn't happen.

Definitely. I don't know what it is, but there's too much going on at once for it to be coincidence.

[sword_redemption]

I'd like to have more assurances than just prayer.

[Like....three swords and some answers?]

I can't think that thing in the cave was Unicron, though.

[winged_knight]

I think we all would.

[Maybe in the other order?]

Really? Barricade says the effects sound similar to Dark Energon.

[sword_redemption]

[Drift isn't picky.]

I know. He told me that, too.

[He laughs.] Some luck we'd have that our first cave is Unicron's front door.

[winged_knight]

The fact that this might be an...uncommon thing, is more disturbing than I care to admit.

[He laughs too, because that's better than the other thing.] It's a talent I think we have? Finding trouble.

[sword_redemption]

I don't know which is worse--if it's common or not. I just...there has to be a kinder way to stop them.

Even if it wasn't really them, you know?

[He frowns, but throws it off: Wing doesn't need his emo.] I can think of better talents you have.

[It's supposed to be saucy. He's trying, Wing. There's been enough sadness and stress lately.]

[winged_knight]

Kinder? You mean...other than fire? [Because that's all he heard that worked from Marvelous. And he certainly sounds in agreement the way he says it.]

It'd be difficult, I think. Seeing them in pain. [And being the cause.] But maybe it's freeing them from this corruption. It's a mercy, regardless of method. [He's just going to cling to that, okay?]

I--[A little burst of laughter that dispels some of the gloom.] Can you? Are you thinking of them right now?

[It gets a smile, because Wing agrees. They both deserve some brighter moments after all that's happened.]

[sword_redemption]

I-in theory. I mean, even if we can't help them, there should be a way that has more, you know, respect.

...it was like the glyphless all over again. Or...Gasket's arm.

[He's glad for the excuse to joke with Wing. He's never had someone he could be this unguarded with and it matters more than he could say.]

I may be thinking of some of them. But I know you have even more. And I want to know those too.

[winged_knight]

Kinder and swifter, I would tend to agree.

[Wing shudders, neither of those are pleasant memories.]

Kinder for all of us hopefully.

[And Wing welcomes not only the sound of Drift's good humor, but the chance to see it. Wing's been close to others before, but never like this. And to think he nearly missed this.]

Oh really now? Care to share? [In lurid detail, preferably.] I will if you will.

[Okay, he's more flirting than joking now, oops?]